Sunday, August 5, 2012

Books by Koreans for Koreans

There are always people who are going to be opposed to what you say or
do. Writing in the Catholic Times, a columnist reminds us of this
reality. She is the chief staff member of Scripture Research in a
Catholic University. University professors, she says, would like the
books on scripture to be written by specialists, those with advance
degrees in the field; our columnist has a different opinion.

There
are many books on scripture published by specialists, but is it
necessary, she asks, that the application of the teachings also be from
specialists? Why not take advantage of those who may not be specialists
but have many years of experience in living the gospel message, and have
volunteered their services to teach in parishes and small Christian
communities? The Koreans are particularly suited in doing this, she
believes, since their disposition is naturally sensitive and responsive
to their own and others feelings. Women are more developed in this area
than are men, and this aptitude is especially valuable when applied to
the books on Scripture. The books she has read are, for the most part,
she says, cerebral, dealing with the world of concepts and the Western
way of thinking.

Many of the
books are translated from the West and the ordinary Catholic finds them
difficult, boring, and of little interest. Wouldn't it be better,she
asks, to address the needs of our parishioners and their questions,
which arise spontaneously from their own Korean sensibilities?

Those
who are members of the Scripture Research Group are graduates of
universities and have gone on to take at least two years of training in
theology. They have taught in parishes and in small village communities.
What they have experienced they have written in their books.They
are able to explain in ordinary everyday language what the specialists
have written in their books. Since their writings are examined by the
specialist, there is no danger of wrong teaching or errors in the
material.

Because Catholicism has grown rapidly in recent years in Korea, isn't it time, she asks, to have more books written by
Koreans that address the needs of our Korean Catholics?